Nature Reserves and Woodlands in London

London may be a big city but there are plenty of green, open spaces where you can see an abundance of wildlife.

You can spot birds and otters at the London Wetland Centre or visit a London City Farm; go cycling, walking or horse riding through Epping Forest; or have a picnic by the lake in the River Lee Country Park.

Enjoy a day out in London's great outdoors at one of the beautiful nature reserves and woodlands below.

  • WWT London Wetland Centre

    Gold Partner

    Nature Reserve / Woodland

    Queen Elizabeth's Walk, Barnes, Richmond, SW13 9WT [map]

    5 TripAdvisor traveller rating
    Based on 127 reviews
  • RSPB Rainham Marshes Nature Reserve

    Nature Reserve / Woodland

    New Tank Hill Road, Purfleet, RM19 1SZ [map]

    Rainham Marshes protects an ancient, low-lying grazing marsh in the Thames Estuary. Its complex of wet grassland, ditches and scrub, supports many breeding and wintering birds.

  • Chislehurst Caves

    Nature Reserve / Woodland

    Old Hill, Chislehurst, BR7 5NB [map]

    Yelp 4 out of 5 based on 1 review

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    From £5.00
    (USD7.52)
  • Epping Forest

    Nature Reserve / Woodland

    IG10 4AF [map]

    The extensive forest, along with areas of grassland and wetland, is one of London's three Special Areas for Conservation.

  • Lee Valley

    Nature Reserve / Woodland

    This sprawling series of open spaces, in the valley of the River Lea, includes lakes, reservoirs, marshes and wet grassland.

  • Addington Hills

    Nature Reserve / Woodland

    CR0 5HR [map]

    Substantial areas of heathland and grassland, in broad glades within a large woodland, housing a host of rare plants and animals.

  • Aquadrome

    Nature Reserve / Woodland

    Frogmoor Lane, Harefield Road, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, WD3 1NB [map]

    Covering 41 hectares, The Aquadrome Local Nature Reserve consists of lakes, grassland and woodland and is an ideal place for walks.

  • Beddington Farmlands

    Nature Reserve / Woodland

    [map]

    A large area of lagoons, one of the best sites for birds in London, which is being restored as a nature reserve.

  • Bentley Priory Open Space

    Nature Reserve / Woodland

    [map]

    Around the Bentley Priory RAF base lies this expanse of ancient woodland, scrub, flower-rich grasslands and ponds, housing a wide variety of plants and animals.

  • Brockwell Park

    Nature Reserve / Woodland

    [map]

    Yelp 5 out of 5 based on 6 reviews
  • Camley Street Natural Park

    Nature Reserve / Woodland

    Camley Street Natural Park/12 Camley St, Regent's Park, NW1 0PW [map]

    This tiny oasis of nature near King's Cross - one of the oldest and most influential of urban ecology parks - is home to many frogs, toads and newts and sees an abundance of wild flowers in summer.

  • Chalk Wood and Joyden's Wood

    Nature Reserve / Woodland

    DA2 7NY [map]

    A large ancient woodland and areas of heathland in glades, extending into Kent, with exceptionally rich plant life.

  • The Chase and Eastbrookend Country Park

    Nature Reserve / Woodland

    [map]

    This extensive area of grassland and former gravel works contains a variety of aquatic plants and attracts numerous waterfowl and wading birds.

  • Crane Park Island

    Nature Reserve / Woodland

    Heath Road, Twickenham, TW1 4AW [map]

    The Crane Park Island local nature reserve is a peaceful haven and home for wildlife, situated on the River Crane on the borders of Whitton and Twickenham.

  • Cranham Marsh

    Nature Reserve / Woodland

    [map]

    Marshland is rare in London and this excellent combination of ancient wet woodland, wet meadow and marsh provides an important habitat for marsh-dwelling species.

  • Crayford Marshes

    Nature Reserve / Woodland

    DA8 2LA [map]

    One of the few remaining areas of Thames grazing marsh in London, with ditches supporting a wealth of rare plants and animals, and a good range of breeding birds.

  • Devonshire Road Nature Reserve

    Nature Reserve / Woodland

    Devonshire Road, Forest Hill, SE23 3TQ [map]

    Devonshire Road Nature Reserve has a pond, meadow, beehive and wildlife conservation area.

  • Downe Bank and Cudham Valley North

    Nature Reserve / Woodland

    [map]

    Downe Bank nature reserve was known to Charles Darwin as the 'Orchis Bank' for the many orchids that grow there.

  • Duke of Northumberland's River

    Nature Reserve / Woodland

    [map]

    A section of river with excellent water quality, providing a home for water voles, a variety of fish and aquatic plants, and an exceptional range of aquatic insects.

  • East Ham Nature Reserve

    Nature Reserve / Woodland

    Norman Road, E6 6HN [map]